Brian Piccolo’s wife, Joy Piccolo O’Connell, continued to raise their three daughters after his death. She became an advocate for cancer research and awareness.
Brian Piccolo, a running back for the Chicago Bears, passed away at the young age of 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, a form of testicular cancer, on June 16, 1970. He was survived by his wife, Joy Murrath, whom he had married in 1964, and their three young daughters, Lori, Traci, and Kristi.
After Brian’s death, Joy Piccolo O’Connell, as she was known following a remarriage, dedicated herself to her family and to keeping her late husband’s legacy alive. She worked to support cancer research, helping to raise funds and awareness in the hope that others might be spared the loss that she and her daughters endured. Joy was instrumental in the foundation of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, which has raised millions of dollars for research at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
The Piccolo daughters grew up in the shadow of their father’s legacy, with the family’s story being widely known due to the success of the film “Brian’s Song,” which chronicled the friendship between Brian Piccolo and his teammate Gale Sayers. The film brought attention to Brian’s life and the impact of his death, furthering the cause of cancer research and touching the hearts of many.
Joy and her daughters have continued to honor Brian’s memory by participating in various events and initiatives related to the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. They have worked to ensure that his spirit of courage and determination lives on, not only in the annals of sports history but also in the ongoing fight against cancer.
